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Art and community graciously collided for the first Venice Art Crawl of the year on March 16, 2017. The theme: This Is Venice, was uniquely represented at the 25 different art events happening simultaneously throughout this beachside community. The majority of the VAC took place on the iconic Venice Boulevard from Speedway by the beach to Lincoln Boulevard. The locals, artists and businesses are hoping to make this two-mile stretch an official Venice Arts District.

The Social & Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) was presenting their current exhibit: 20 Years of the UCLA/SPARC Digital Mural, showcasing a sampling of projects that highlight instruction, community organizing, research and artistic production. Also at SPARC, acclaimed queer Latina writer/performer Monica Palacios received an Award of Recognition from the City of Los Angeles for being a Latinx LGBTQ Trailblazer. A supportive crowd was on hand to witness Monica’s presentation by Councilmember Steve Bonin’s office Field Deputy Taylor Bazley and SPARC’s Executive Director Debra Padilla. Next door Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center was standing room only with enthusiastic participants for the inaugural LA Punk Film Festival. The crowd spilled out onto the sidewalk as they waited for unique films and live performances to start. Steady streams of people were floating in and out of the Abbot Kinney Venice Library where Michelito Orquiola and the Night Owl Players were creating live art and a cool vibe. Also displaying work at the library was Leebs, Gary Palmer, Tim Joensen and the Boys and Girls Club, who had a colorful variety of innovative pieces. The Sunny Bak Studio featuring Harold Cleworth, Sunny Bak, Stuart Berkowitz and DJ Todd Spero was also a packed house of art aficionados. Way out on the fringes, on Lincoln Blvd., bar patrons enjoyed a one-hour repeating exhibition of classic art films and video from Georges Méliès and Luis Bunuel to Janet Cardiff & George Bures Miller and Yayoi Kusama.

Rumor has it that the Pop Up Kitty Wine Bar was a four star event where people were mingling and cuddling with kitties, listening to chill music and purrrchasing kitty art. The night was enhanced by the Electric Bike Parade, gliding peddlers that looked like fireflies along the boulevard in their customized brightly-lit bicycles. Each pop up/venue had their distinct flavor but each location honored the Venice Art Crawl by bringing together neighbors, artists, businesses and art.

The Venice Art Crawl takes place four times a year: March 16, May 18, July 20, and September 22 and 23.    Also: Save the date for the VAC fundraiser Thursday, April 20 at the Runway at Playa Vista. (Details below)

The Venice Art Crawl is a Venice Chamber of Commerce Event.

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For more info:  www.VeniceArtCrawl.com

Media Contacts: PMG – 323.337.9042
Henry Eshelman: [email protected]
Sabrina Zeile: [email protected]

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VIEW EVENT MARCH 16TH HIGHLIGHTS

Photos submitted by Marta Evry, Todd Goodman, Jennifer Wilson, Ray Rae, and  Venice Highschool Kids

Venice Electric Bike Parade photo by Todd Goodman.

11th District’s Taylor Bazley, Monica Palacios, Sparc’s Debra Padilla, and VAC President Sunny Bak.  Thank you Monica for everything you do for the Venice Art Crawl.

Photo by Marta Evry

Photo by Marta Evry

Photo by Marta Evry

Jeremy Parker.  Photo by Ray Rae

Photo by Ray Rae

Photo by Ray Rae

Right: Ray Rae of VeniceBeachPhotos.com

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Join the Venice Art Crawl for their annual fundraiser on April 20th!